Granly Hockey Arena

Granly Hockey Arena in Esbjerg does not sit beside a sea, but it has the kind of quiet that belongs to a town where the wind blows straight across the ice. The original building opened in 1974 and the space has lived through a long cycle of use. A major reconstruction finished in March 2019, and the new arena was inaugurated by Esbjerg Energy. The playing surface is natural ice, refrigerated, and the capacity holds 4,200 spectators, a number that has stayed consistent since the first winter.

What makes this ground different from the identical one down the road, the nearby Blue Water Arena, is its purpose. One hosts football, the other ice. Esbjerg Energy have used the rink to pick up two Danish championships , first in 2016 and again in 2017. The arena has also hosted curling, including the 2011 World Women’s Championship and the 2015 European Championships.

There are no giant screens or towers of glass here. The architecture by Friis & Moltke Architects kept the focus on the ice itself, and the engineering by Cowi ensured the surface stays true through every match. The venue will host preliminary round and quarterfinal matches for the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship, co-hosted with Herning.